To preserve the empire, Chandragupta commanded an enormous military and frequently used espionage, as his advisor Kautilya wrote in his Arthashastra. The army was extremely large--it reportedly numbered as many as 600,000--and was comprised of the four traditional divisions: mounted on elephants, in chariots, calvalry and infantry.

Chandragupta's empire was very tolerant of a variety of religions, including Buddhism and Jainism. The rulers of the Mauryan dynasty were actually influential in the growth of these religions: Chandragupta's grandson, Asoka, spread Buddhism as an enthusiastic convert. According to tradition, after ruling for about 25 years, Chandragupta abdicated the throne to his son, Bindusara and converted to Jainism. He became a devout ascetic disciple of the Jain saint, Bhardrabahu. Twelve years after the death of his teacher, Chandragupta died on the same hill after fasting to death in a Jain rite of penance.